Eolie Islands
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In the southern part of the Tyrrhenian Sea, north of the eastern coast of Sicily, there are the Aeolian Islands: an archipelago which has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2000. It’s very well-served by fast boats, hydrofoils and ferries departing from Milazzo, Messina, Reggio Calabria, Palermo, and Naples. This archipelago includes 7 major islands (Alicudi, Filicudi, Lipari, Panarea, Salina, Stromboli, and Vulcano), along with several islets and surfacing rock formations.
Colonized by the Greeks in 580 BC, some of the abovementioned islands were later used by the Bourbons, especially Vulcano Island, as a prison and aluminium and sulfur mines.
This archipelago of volcanic origin, still features two active volcanoes, Stromboli and Vulcano. Each island is different from the other: Vulcano has black sand and sulfur, Stromboli features black rocks stones, Lipari is famous for its white pumice, Panarea for its lovely beaches, Salina for the vineyards, and Filicudi for its wild nature.
On the islands, there are also some scrub-forest grasslands, impressive slopes, cliffs, beaches, and coves. On the very seabed, there is a true wealth of flora, fauna, reptiles and archaeological finds.
FLORA AND FAUNA
The soil of volcanic origin and the favourable climatic environment have favoured the typical Mediterranean scrub flora. The predominant vegetation is represented by the family of Asteraceae (Centaurea aeolica), Genista tyrrhena, Spartium junceum, and African Fodder Cane (Saccharum aegyptiacum).
Two species characterize the low vegetation: the grass Dactylis glomerata and Silene vulgaris of the caryophyllaceae family.
There are also widespread exotic species, including European fan pams (Chamaerops humilis), barbary figs (Ficus indica), and bougainvillaea.
The typical crops of the islands feature capers and vines: right there, is where the famous Malvasia strong white is mainly produced.
Many birds of prey live in this archipelago, such as common buzzards, kestrels, yellow-legged gulls, herring gull, Maltese sparrows, European goldfinches, and ravens. On the other hand, invertebrate and vertebrate species are quite scarce. The only snake which lives here is the green whip snake, not poisonous. In the 1990s, a new species of lizard was identified: the Podarcis raffoneae. Among the insects, the sphinx (belonging to the Sphingidae family), a butterfly with variegated wings and an ash brown colour, is very common.
Places to see:
– Pumice quarry in Lipari
– Aeolian Archaeological Museum in Lipari
Opening Hours:
winter opening 9.00-13.30 / 1500-1800
summer opening 9.00-13.30 / 16.00-19.00
max 30 people per group
tel: + 39 0909880174 – 9880594 – Fax: + 39 0909880175.
Local treats:
“Mulincianeddi chini” and Aeolian “caponata” (a Sicilian dish consisting of chopped fried eggplant and other vegetables, seasoned with olive oil, tomato sauce, celery, olives, and capers, in a sweet and sour sauce).
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Italiano (Italian)
Contatti
Piazza Mazzini 1 - Lipari(ME)
090 9887111
info@pec.comunelipari.it
http://www.comunelipari.gov.it/
Altre info
Gratuito
